Game apparatus



June. 11, 1940. R. J. HEYMER GAME APPARATUS Filed March 4, 1938 2Sheets-Sheet l June 11,1940. n. J. HEYMER GANE APPARATUS Filed umn 4.195e 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 11, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENToT-FICE GAME APPARATUS-` Rae J. Heymer, Minneapolis, Application March4, 193s, sena; No. 193,899

3` Claims.

This invention relates to game apparatus, and particularly to gameapparatus where a ball or. projectile is impelled or. thrown at a targetpreferably disposed in such mannerthat the ball will l be `thrownthrough the air rather than rolled or impelled along a supportingsurface.

It is an object of my invention to provide game apparatus of the class`referred l to wherein the `skill and accuracy of the players arelargely responsible for the winning of the game, but where chancedetermines` `the various positions from which the ball is thrownand alsopreferably the y turns of the players in making their shots.

My game apparatus is particularly adapted for" a parlor basketball gamewhere `almost the identical rules of basketball can apply, and where thechances of skilled players successfully making the various shots,` aswell as the frequency of the turns` or plays of each player areapproximately the same as in the actual gameof basketballas it is playedin the United States. My apparatus is, however, very well adapted forvarious other gameshaving different rules. t `It is a further object toprovide in game apparatus `of the class described a simple and eiiicientimpeller which maybe directionally positioned or aimed` with respect tothe target, and bodily `moved to a number of predetermined positionsincombination with a ball or projectile having means associated therewith,preferably a plurality of` facets formed on the ball, whereby the nextplay and position of shooting is'dependent upon the position of the ballwhen itcomes to rest after the preceding shot, without requiring anyadditional or extraneous means of chance `such as the throwing of dice,spinning of aspinner or calculating device for determining the same.

` Another object is the provision ofan improved game apparatus utilizinga playing board and one or moretargets disposed when the game is playedin an elevated position` above the board with a simple, buthighlyefficient impeller for throwing the ball through various arcuate paths,all of which may be quickly assembled for playing and may be knockeddown into very compact position `for sale or shipment.

`A more `specific object is the provision of game apparatus including aplayinglboard and target elevated above the playing board, whereinindicatedpredetermined positions on the board with reference to thetarget represent various shots or positions which are foundin such gamesas basketball, golf, etc., and wherein `the skill of the player inhitting the target depends upon his accuracy and experience in properlypositioning the "ward target number 1;

l (c1. grs-ss) "characters refer to the same `or similar parts ythroughout the various views, and in which: L Fig. l is a top plan lviewof one form of my apparatus intended for` use by `from two to fourplayers, set up for play, one ofthe shooters or impellers being`positioned to direct the ball to- Fig. 2 is a vertical section `takenapproximately on thevline 2`-2 of Fig. 1,; l

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of one of the shooters;` ,Fig."4 is a verticalsection taken onthe line 4--4 of Fig.r3, dottedlines indicating themoved position of the shooter in action, as well` as the position of theball and a portion of the) various arcuate travels thereof;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a suitable ball or,`

vations of the same; l f

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of a somewhat different form of my inventionadapted for use by one ortwo players and set upin `playing position, a

`portion of one corner of the playing fioor being broken away;

, 25 projectile and Figs. 6 and '7 are opposite end elej Fig. 9 is afragmentary plan view of the playing field including the back, targetand playing iioor `knocked down into compact flat `position for sellingor shipment; l

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of a somewhat diff ferent form of ballwhich is` `especially adapted for use with the form of my inventionshown in Figs. 8 and 9; and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary top plan view of a somewhat different form ofplaying board which may be utilizedlwith a spherical ball orprojectile.y

lin` the embodiment of theinventionillustrated inFigs. 1 to 7,inclusive, I provide a playingoor in the shape of a cross which mayconveniently be made up of four oor sections I3, shaped as`clearlyishown in Fig. 1 in'such manner that the angled forwardextremities may fit together to form the shape of a cross whenthe flooris set up.v

For convenience, the floorse'ctions I3 may` bel hinged together in pairsbysuitable hinge strips I4 secured totheundersides thereof to facilitatecompact disposal of the apparatus when the same is notin use. Theseveral licor sections are providedvwith flanges or rims whichcollectively form a low guard wall around the entire playing eld todiminish the chance of the ball from jumping or rolling off the board.Each of the floor sections I3 are marked off in the manner of an actualbasketball iioor to define a foul alley I5 and. a foul line IE5.` Theseveral sections are printed with appropriate identification, as shown,with the enlarged numerals from 1 to 4, the numerals preferably beingprinted in different colors, such as, for example: red, green, blue andyellow. On each of the oor sections is also printed a series of ypredetermined positions defined as shown by circles and as shown in Fig.1, being identified with the numerals 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, '7, 8, 9 and 0.

The several floor sections I3 carry adjacent their inner extremitiesupstanding pegs |35 which are adapted when the sections are operativelypositioned, to engage apertured portions of ak square pedestal I'I tosecure the same centrally of the board and to support by means of `adetach able post I8 the bank boards and baskets. The bank boards for theseveral baskets may be conveniently constructed in the form o1" acollapsible open-ended box I9 which when distended may snugly t and besupported upon a square bracket 20 detachably and telescopically securedtothe upper end of the post I8. The baskets, as shown, comprise wireframes 2l having attachment lugs 2 Ia. extending therefrom andengageable with holes through the bank walls Iil and through the edgesof the square bracket 25. The lugs 2l of the baskets thus retain thebank boards and baskets in proper position for play. The basket nettings22 are hemmed to fit upon and be sup-ported by the basket frames.

I provide a` very simple, but scientific impeller or shooter in the form-of an integrally ccnstructecl plate 23, best shown in Figs. 3 and 4.Preferably one of these impellers is provided for each player. The plate23 is preferably constructed from some suitable rigid material such assheet metal and has an upwardly 'angled striking end 23, which as shown.in Fig. 3 may be tapered toward; its extremity to facilitate accuracy'instriking-the longitudinalV center when a play is made. The body of theshooter 23 is purposelyarced, terminating at its ball receiving end in`a down-turned lip 23h which engages the board or floor/prior to makinga. shot. A round aperture 23o is formed in the rear end of theshooter'to receive the ball or projectile. In making `a shot from one ofthe predetermined :positions on the floor, the shooter 23 isdirectionally positioned to the best ability of the player in suchmanner that it will be aligned with a point on the banking wall I 9 tomake possible a successful bank shot at the target or basket. Theaperture 23e in the shooter is positioned just above the appropriatecircle on the playing floor. The angled portion 23d of the shooterengages the playing floor, forming a fulcrum, and the curved body of theimpeller with the ball held in the rear declined. portion of the curve,enables the ball to bethrown through a rather high arc to facilitatebanking of the ball against the walls I9 and reproducing ac curately theplay in an actual basketball game.

`A suitable form of projectile or ball 24, as il lustrated in Figs.`5 to7, comprising a member yhaving the general shape of a sphere,kbut pro-In the form shown in Figs. l and 2, a ball is preferably provided foreach contestant, colored or otherwise identied to match the color of oneof the large numerals identifying the four playing sections. Each' ballis marked, preferably with the iclentiiication of ay number of thepredetermined positions marked out on the four playing sections. carryon the facets 24a, the identication corresponding to one-fourth of thetotal number of predetermined positions on the four floor sections andthe facet ofy the ball which is uppermost when the projectile comes torest after a shot, determines` which player has the next shot and fromwhat position that player shoots. For example (seeFig. 5), if the facethaving the numerals 2-0 is uppermost, this means that player number 2takes the next shot from position 0 on the playing field, etc. The endsof the ball illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7 are preferably atted at 24d sothat the ball mayoccasionallyk stop on one of the ends thereof,indicating that afoul has beenmade. These flatted ends may be colored tocor. respond with the'coloring .of the various vnumerals on the severalplaying sections and-when thev ball stops with the color 4red uppermost,this means that the player having the red number takes the next shotfrom the foul position at ther appropriate target. f f v n In playingthe game of basketball with this apparatus, the general rules for actualbasketballl are Very closely followed. With' the form of the f inventionshown` in Figs. land 2, two or four contestants may play. v If two play,each takes two colors or two playing sections. The object of the game,of course, is to shoot the greatest number of baskets and foulsduringthe playing period l sitions his shooter 23 on the board with theaperture 23o disposed over the appropriate circle'on the playing sectionand strikes the tip23a ofthe shooter with the forefinger, skill andpractice determiningl the proper force to be used for the 'various shotsfrom the several lpredetermined positions. Skill is required in aimingtheshooter properly for the bank shots, as well as in using the properdegree of force for the various shots The successive shots andindicationsof the turns or" the players are indicated by the facet oftheball turning upV after the preceding shot. Each player uses his own ballwhen he shoots;

A game of basketv golf` may be played with the apparatus, with one ormore persons and 9 Yprede-- termined positions' marked out upon eachsection of the playing eld, representing 9 holes of a; golf course. Eachplayer starts at the-number l position on his section and shoots for thebasket from that position until he sinks his shot. Hei then moves` tothe number 2 position and attempts to make the basket and so onvuntilthe 9 baskets are completed. 'I'he player scores the numberv ofshots yfor each position, and in competitiony the player .completing the9 baskets withthe low score is the winner. y

In Figs. 8 and 9 I have illustrated avery sim- Thus, if four balls areused, each will l itY pliiied and inexpensive `form of -my apparatus i.

especially adapted for use as a premiumby large manufacturers as well asfor sale `in storesv selling low pricedmerchandise; Theentire playingfield, including the floor, `guard wall and banking wall, is collapsibleinto a flat package having the thickness yof onlythree plies ofcardboard `or other suitable sheet material. In this form only one floorsection, one banking `wall and one basket are utilized. The playingfloor and guard l flange or wall may be constructed from a single sheetof cardboard or other suitable material 3l) having the foul alley, thefoul line and a number of predetermined shooting positions printedthereon. The` edges of the sheet i 30 may be scored for folding alonglinesl and m and the corners may be slit along` the lines n so that thetab may be folded over the adjacent edge of one of the sides to form avery shallow box, as will be clear from an inspection of Fig. 8. `Theends may be secured together by suitable means such as the commonV paperfasteners 3|, registering apertures being provided in the joined edges.

i A back wall 32 furnishing the banking surface a n the ball may rolland lodge in one ofthe several or disposal.

is provided having folded supporting sides 32a, preferably integrallyformed therewith and `adapted to be folded flush against the back wallwhen the apparatus is taken down for shipment The side walls 30a iitwithin the flanges afforded by the marginal portions ofthe playing floorand may be secured rigidly therewith by paper fasteners, registeringapertures being provided in the lower` edges of such side walls and inthe flanges of the playing floor.

The basket has a wire frame 33 generally smilar to the basket frame,\inthe form of my invention rst described, terminating in `elongatedattachment portions which, when the device is `first set up, are bent atright angles to the plane of the loop of the frame` and may be projectedthrough apertures in the back wall 32, and the n ends of said attachmentlugs` are secured be-` neath keepers 3d which are formedfrom struck` upportions on the back of the back wall '32.1 The basket netting issimilar to` that shown in the form rst described. The game is played inthe `same way generally as in the form rst dcscribed, both or allplayers utilizing the same playing floor, and a ball or projectile beingprovided for each of the players. i

In Fig. l a slightly different form of :projectile is shown, having afewer number of facets corresponding to the predetermined positionsprinted on the playing floor, as shown in Fig. 9, and this projectile orball is not provided as illustrated, with atted end `portions fordetermining foul shots. i

This ball is particularly designed after the form of my invention shownin Figs. 8 andi), having its facets identied in conformance to thepositions printed upon the playing floor `3U.`

In Fig. 1l a corner of a modified form `of playing floor is illustratedin top plan. This form of playing floor is adapted foruse with a roundball which freely rolls, and which is not provided with indicatingfacets. Thewfloor is declined toward the rear of the board so thatrecessed portions 4U.- Each recess portion has identifying numerals orcharacters printed thereon to indicate which player has the next shotand from what position on the board th shot is tc be made. j c i Fromthe foregoing discussionit will be seen that I hav-e provided a highlyinteresting game apparatus wherein the skill and accuracy ofthe`lplayersare mainly` responsible `for thewinning of the game,` andwherein skillmay be acquired from experience `and practice. i IThevtermtarget is `used hereafter in the appended claims in its broad sense to``denote any objectiveor aiming point whether a receptacle or otherwiseatwhich a projectile is im- H pelledor thrown. n n n It will, of course,be understood that various `changes may be made in the form, details,pro- `being manually operable to throw said projectile at said target,saidplaying board having indicia thereon indicating a pluralityofpredetermined shooting positions with respectto` said target, and thefaces of said projectile having indicia thereon corresponding to theindicia of said playing board, whereby, after said projectile has beenthrown and comes to rest its indicia will automatically denote the nextshooting position from whichthe projectile is to be thrown by saidprojector.

l2. In a game apparatus adapted to be participated in by two or moreplayers, a playing board having a target associated therewith, aball-like projectile having a plurality of pairs of parallel faces uponany one of which it may come to rest after being thrown, apropellingdevice for said projectile adapted to be freely moved about overtheboard and placed in any desired propelling j position thereon withrespect to said target, `said propelling device having projectilereceiving means and being manually operable to throw `said projectile atsaid target, said playing board having indicia thereon indicating aplurality `of predetermined playing positions from which the projectile`is adapted to be propelled toward said target, each face ofsaidprojectile having indicia thereon denoting one of the players andindicia corresponding to the indicia denoting one of the playingpositions of said playing board, whereby, after said projectile has beenpropelled toward said target and comes to rest `on said playing board,its indicia will automatically indicate the next player and also theposition from which the projectile is to be propelled toward said targetby said propelling device.

3. In a gameapparatus, a playing board having a target associatedtherewith, said playing board having indicia thereon indicating` aplurality of predetermined projectile shooting positions with respect tosaid target, a ball-like projectile having a plurality of pairs ofparallel faces upon anyone of which it may come to rest after beingthrown, a projectorfor said projectile adapted to be freely moved aboutover the board and placed in any desired projecting position thereonwith respect to said target, said projector comprising a comparativelyflat member having an aperture therein for receiving and supporting saidprojectile, said projector being manually operable to throw saidprojectile at said target, the faces of said projectile having` indiciathereon corresponding to the indicia of l said playing board, wherebyafter said projectile has been thrown and cornes to rest its indicia.will automatically denote the next position from which the projectile isto be thrown by said projector, the aperture in said projector being ofa size to allow any one of the indicia of said playing board to beviewed therethrough, whereby said projector may be located over, anddirectionally rocked about said indicia as an axis to aim it at saidtarget whilev constantly maintain- RAE J.

